Myths & Facts: Quotes - JERUSALEM

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"Calling Jerusalem a settlement is a misinterpretation, an insult to the city. It is incomprehensible that they are mixing questions of private rights, international law and politics. [The hotel was built] on private land, the development of which has nothing to do with diplomacy."

—Yigal Palmor, Israel Ministry of Foregin Affairs Spokesman

“No democratic government would impose a ban on Jews purchasing private property… Just as Arabs can buy property in Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem, Jews can buy property in predominantly Arab neighborhoods.”

—Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister

“Israel plans to invest significant amounts in infrastructure that will increase the accessibility of holy sites to all worshippers. By doing so it aims to honor and allow freedom of worship to all, irrespective of their faith, and protect the holy sites. There is no violation of Muslim or Christian religious rights in any holy place."

— Shimon Peres, Israeli President

“At the Camp David summit, the Palestinian leadership rejected an Israeli proposal to share sovereignty [over Jerusalem]. We continue to reject this offer. We cannot compromise on Jerusalem.”

— Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Authority President

“[Israel is digging under the Temple Mount in order to] show a fabricated heritage that might help them to deceive foreign visitors into believing Jerusalem as a historical place of the Jews."

-- Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, Director 'al-Aqsa Foundation'